But spokesperson says nothing on the toys refers to the Obama daughters
updated 2 hours, 46 minutes ago

CHICAGO - The company that made Beanie Babies a top toy craze is hoping for another winner with dolls named “Sweet Sasha” and “Marvelous Malia.”

Now where have we heard those names before?

Ty Inc. has released the 12-inch plush dolls as part of the company's “TyGirlz Collection,” introduced in 2007. The Sasha doll has pigtails and wears a white and pink dress with hearts. The Malia doll has a side ponytail and a long-sleeve shirt with capri pants.


The Oak Brook-based company chose the dolls' names because "they are beautiful names," not because of any resemblance to President Obama's daughters, said spokeswoman Tania Lundeen.

“There's nothing on the dolls that refers to the Obama girls,” Lundeen said. “It would not be fair to say they are exact replications of these girls. They are not.”

Public figures have a legal right to control their how their images are used, but Lundeen would not comment on legal issues or if the company's lawyers have become involved with the dolls.

“I'm not an attorney. I can't answer that,” she said.

The dolls have "real doll hair" and the suggested retail price is $9.99, Lundeen said. The dolls were introduced in early January and a limited supply has been shipped to retailers.

In the real world, 7-year-old Sasha and 10-year-old Malia have been the focus of intense interest. A throng of reporters followed their first day at school. News reports detailed what they wore on Inauguration Day.

That fascination will make the Ty dolls a success, said Denise Gary Robinson, president of DollsLikeMe.com, an online specialty doll boutique that specializes in ethnic dolls, toys and gifts.

“Girls all over the world, of all colors, will be looking for these dolls. They want to identify with these two girls,” Robinson said.

Ty has launched two dolls named Marvelous Malia and Sweet Sasha. The Chicago Tribune says Ty claims the dolls are not based on the Obama girls but the dolls do bear some resemblance to the Obama daughters and they have the same names.

Mrs. Obama already put the tone down on the subject already. She ain't havin none of it!

Those are horrible dolls

wow..... some ppl will buy anything.

shanti0608 said:

well for beanie baby investors the few that exist will be quite valuable if they halt the manufacturing of them. But who would pay thousands for a beanie baby?
maybe thats why they did this, was to make the few so valuable.

horatio said:

Perhaps. I have never been a collector of things so I guess I cannot relate.